TORONTO AEROS COACHING ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2026-2027
Whitney Kennedy, High Performance Director and U22AA Head Coach
Contact: (416) 838-2107 [email protected]
We are delighted that Whitney will return as Junior Head Coach for a third season in 2026-27, and her 12th season coaching with the Aeros. She is High Performance 1 Coaching trained.
Since 2020, Whitney has been behind the bench with our Junior team. Prior to that, she coached several years at the U15AA level with our former affiliate team. This past summer, Whitney was selected to coach at the OWHA U16 High Performance Camps in Alliston.
She was a 3-year OWHA U22AA player, including two seasons as a Center with the Junior Aeros. There, she won a League Championship as an Aero, playing with now Princeton Head Coach Courtney Kessel. In her graduating season as a Junior Aero, Whitney was named an Assistant Captain, and scored 25 goals including goals against Harvard and Brown in D1 Exhibition play in their rinks.
Following that, playing at then nationally ranked Harvard, Whitney won an ECAC Regular Season title, and an Ivy League Championship. while earning All-Academic honours. Whitney graduated with an Honours degree in both History and Science (Mind, Brain Behaviour certificate) and Global Health & Health Policy in 2013.
Professionally, Whitney is a Vice President of Commercial Advisory and Strategy at Infrastructure Ontario.
Having embraced the Aeros values as a player, Whitney believes that character is a critical factor to lifelong success; as a coach she aspires to develop the whole individual, not just the player. She centers her philosophy and teams around culture and character - where everyone can bring their authentic selves to the rink without being afraid of judgement or making mistakes. Whitney believes that hockey is far bigger than the game itself: the time players spend at the rink should be the best 2-3 hours of their day, with teamwork, work ethic and accountability being the cornerstones to achieving success. She is know for building trusting relationship with her players as she prioritizes open, honest and consistent communication.
Kurt Gummer, U18AA Aeros Head Coach
Contact: (416) 953-9663 [email protected]
Kurt joined our U18AA coaching staff this season, where he is currently our U18AA Head Coach. We are very happy to have him return to lead the team in 2026-27, which will represent his 8th year of OWHA coaching experience. Kurt is High Performance 1 Coaching trained.
Prior to the Aeros, Kurt was Co-Coach at the U15AA level with Markham-Stouffville, and also has a year of Junior experience as an Assistant Coach in the Capital Junior Hockey League.
As a player, Kurt’s experience includes AAA hockey in Alberta along with 4 years of Junior experience in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Capital Junior Hockey League.
During Kurt's time as a player, he took an interest in Officiating whereby he was fortunate to participate in the inaugural Canadian Women's Hockey Championship. In 1995, he was selected to officiate at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Red Deer, Alberta.
Professionally, Kurt is currently a Partner and Chief Operating Officer for a Facility Management Company in Richmond Hill. From his experience in his professional life, Kurt believes in providing a positive environment to enhance individual skill sets and learning to be a valued team member.
Welcome back, Kurt!